About croquet
Croquet is both a friendly game and a serious sport, so it can appeal to everyone! It combines ball skills with subtle tactics, it’s easy to understand and it’s enormous fun to play. It’s very accessible, taking only a short time to learn and not needing great physical fitness. Men and women play on equal terms. Social croquet brings people together outdoors with a purpose. Competitive play includes club events, leagues, tournaments at other clubs or national and international competitions.
Four balls are always in play, in two pairs. Scoring is by hitting a ball through a hoop, but there are tactics and skills involved in getting into that lovely shooting position, including hitting your opponent’s ball away – which explains croquet’s reputation for being amiably vicious! You can even jump your ball over another and go through the top of the hoop!
Why play croquet?
Croquet is an enjoyable, sociable game that can be played on equal terms by people of any age or gender. It rewards smart thinking as much as physical skill.
There are two forms of the game – Association Croquet and Golf Croquet. Most new players start with Golf Croquet, which is a race between two sides to be the first to run each hoop, with each ball played in turn. At our mix-in sessions, held three times a week, you will be drawn with a partner to play doubles, swapping around between games. A game might last 40 minutes. All ability levels take part.
If you choose to go further, the club organises internal competitions and participates in leagues or friendly fixtures with other clubs. Players also travel to open competitions for varying skill levels, including for beginners. Croquet’s effective handicap system means that inexperienced players can play against experts and still have a chance to win.
Club membership allows you to play at any time, so croquet is ideal as pastime with a group of friends, family or colleagues.
Golf croquet is quick to learn but requires accuracy and tactics to master.
Association Croquet is a game of complex strategy and skill. It involves building breaks of successive shots and is similar in many ways to snooker – but played outdoors in the sunshine!.
Croquet is not the stuffy Victorian game of the costume dramas. Its players are ordinary people who want an activity that, while not high-energy, gets them outdoors with a bunch of nice people and provides the opportunity to be as competitive as you want to be.
As with any game, the best players probably start young, but many take it up after retiring from more energetic pursuits. It can be as skilful as you want it to be – advanced players can take it very seriously, but many club members see it as a relaxing and friendly way of passing an afternoon.
Equipment
Croquet is an inexpensive sport. Club membership is very good value compared to other private sports clubs. Most members buy their own mallet after a while, but the club has a large selection for you to use until then. Balls and hoops are provided. Most people wear white clothing for competitions, but for everyday play you just need a pair of trainers or flat shoes.
Interested in playing?
Before deciding to join the club, you are welcome to try the game. See the About Our Club section for details or contact us if you want more information.